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Amuse-BOUCHE

It has been more than 25 years since the Paso Robles American Viticulture Area was formed. Since then, this California Central Coast region has grown apace. A scenic area, with gentle hills, long warm days, maritime breezes, and cool nights, this AVA is producing soft, approachable red wines and crisp whites, some from unexpected blends.

A New World Wine & Food Festival tasting at the Pearl Stables recently offered local wine aficionados a glimpse of this wide-ranging AVA. Paso Robles now has 26,000 acres planted to wine grapes and more than 200 wineries. Immerse yourself in the latest info at pasowine.com. For tastes, however, here are two suggestions from among the 17 wineries in attendance.

— A new label from winemaker Austin Hope’s Treana Winery is Candor. For a little less than $20, consider pickup up the two wines, a zin and a merlot, which were created to showcase the true flavors of each varietal.

— From Vina Robles, keep your eyes open for a white wine to be released soon, the White4 2008. It’s a blend of sauvignon blanc, verdelho, vermentino and viognier — fragrant, dry, and food friendly, and a bargain at $14.